Beauty in Diversity

The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. Thomas Merton

This is my new favorite quote right now. I’m drawn to it because it’s pushing me to be better than I am. I want people to like the same things I do and think like I think.

 I know it’s okay for us to be different, and I try to appreciate those around me for who they are, but it’s easy to enjoy people who are similar to ourselves.

Children accept others with no questions asked. They immediately join each other without even thinking about it. Their minds seem unencumbered with the societal ‘rules’ we all live by.

Two of our grandchildren joined me on a walk in the woods.

Our granddaughter pointed to the bushes. “Can you see the dinosaur hiding in that bush over there?”

I squinted into the sun. “Where?”

She pointed.

“Oh, I see it,” yelled our grandson, running toward the creature.

The two of them were off in their own world of play—no questions asked.

A sweet lady lives down the street from me. She is a meticulous housekeeper, and her yard is immaculate. Sometimes my house is dusty enough that you can write your name on the top of the piano. There are a few weeds in our yard. Yet my neighbor is never critical of me. She always has kind words for those close to her.

I will try to find this illusive beginning of love and appreciate the talents of those around me. How about you?

In diversity there is beauty and there is strength. Maya Angelou

Read more about this topic and others in Christy Monson’s new book, Becoming Free, A Woman’s Guide to Internal Strength, available on Kindle, Nook, and iPad.